What are some causes of high uric acid levels in the body?

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Taking diuretic medications, eating too much purine-rich food, obesity, excessive alcohol intake and renal failure are some of the causes of high uric acid levels in the body, according to Mayo Clinic. Heredity is also considered a factor for having high uric acid levels.

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Eating too much food with high purine content causes the body to have high uric acid level. Foods that have elevated purine content include spinach, beans, asparagus, peas, oatmeal, lentils, mushrooms and cauliflower. Edible internal organs of meat, anchovies, mackerel and beer also have high purine content, says Mayo Clinic. Uric acid is strained out by the kidneys and eliminated along with urine. If the kidneys are not capable of normally eliminating uric acid from the blood, the level of uric acid in the blood rises, says WebMD.

High uric acid level, also called as hyperuricemia, may also be caused by immune-suppressing drugs, such as azathioprine, cyclosporine, monocolonal antibodies and corticosteroids. Other secondary causes of hyperuricemia are tumor lysis syndrome due to chemotherapy, psoriasis and thyroid disorder, states the Mayo Clinic.

Hyperuricemia can lead to the forming of solid crystals in the joints, which is the primary cause of a throbbing condition known as gout. Kidney stones may also develop as a result of hyperuricemia, states WebMD.